Women's World Cup 2015: Latest Round of 16 Bracket Results and Monday Schedule
Just three spots remain in the quarter-finals of what has been a truly memorable 2015 Women’s World Cup, with six sides still bidding to make their way into the competition’s final eight on Monday.
England and Norway meet in Ottawa in what’s poised to be an even contest between two of the competition’s dark horses. Meanwhile, the United States are big favourites to get the better of the effervescent but erratic Colombia, and reigning champions Japan take on the Netherlands.
If there’s one thing this World Cup has taught us to date, it’s that we should take nothing for granted. With that in mind, here’s a closer examination of the two standout matches, a prediction on which teams will progress and reminder of the round of 16 results so far.
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| China PR | 1-0 | Cameroon |
| Germany | 4-1 | Sweden |
| Brazil | 0-1 | Australia |
| France | 3-0 | Korea Republic |
| Canada | 1-0 | Switzerland |
| Norway | England | 5 p.m. | Ottawa |
| United States | Colombia | 8 p.m. | Edmonton |
| Japan | Netherlands | 10 p.m. | Vancouver |
Results and schedule courtesy of FIFA.com.
Norway vs. England
Although those in the know when it comes to women’s football were looking forward to seeing how Norway and England would fare at this World Cup, there were few experts predicting these teams to go all the way.
Admittedly, the final remains a long way off. However, as noted by Bleacher Report’s Andrew Gibney, with hosts Canada waiting in the next round, there’s a brilliant chance for one of England or Norway to make a mark on the competition:
It’s tough to split these sides. If anything, Norway probably edge things on paper, with the marshalling influence of Solveig Gulbrandsen at the base of the midfield and the supreme predatory instincts of Ada Hegerberg really impressing at this tournament up to this point.
As we can see here courtesy of Julie Stewart-Binks of Fox Sports, they are a group of players that seem to enjoy each other’s company too:
On the pitch, they’ve been brilliant. Two comfortable wins against Ivory Coast and Thailand bookended a respectable 1-1 draw with tournament favourites Germany in the group stages, but will the pressure of knockout football bite for Norway when they take to the field for this encounter?
England will certainly hope so, but as noted by the team’s official Twitter account, it’s their first-ever knockout match at a World Cup:
With that in mind, England manager Mark Sampson will be looking to big characters to step up. At the back, skipper Steph Houghton needs to continue her strong start to the tournament, while Fara Williams and Jordan Nobbs must add drive in midfield. Against a quality Norway team, players like Karen Carney and Toni Duggan also need to be clinical with any chances which do arise.
It’s going to be a close tie, but England’s superior sturdiness and organisation will see them through in extra time.
Prediction: Norway 1-2 England (After Extra Time)
United States vs. Colombia
As if enough wasn’t at stake coming into this encounter between the USWNT and Colombia, Los Cafeteras striker Lady Andrade has really stoked the flames ahead of this showdown in Edmonton.
Andrade, who famously punched the United States’ star forward Abby Wambach three years ago, has accused the Americans of a lack of respect and insisted her team will emerge victorious in this last 16 encounter.
“They belittle us. They think we're a team they're going to walk all over and it will be an easy game for them," Andrade said in an interview with USA Today's Paul Logothetis. "We're going to beat them since they like to talk so much.”
Colombia clearly fancy their chances, and after getting the better of France in the group stages, will feel as though they can pose problems for their illustrious opposition. As we can see here courtesy of Womens Soccer United, Andrade herself has the footwork to back up her bold claims:
They are facing a USWNT who are currently looking a little vulnerable too. Jill Ellis’ side were made to battle hard in all of their group games, and although they’ve conceded just one goal in the tournament so far, going forward they’ve struggled to showcase their patented attacking swagger.
But as we can see here, courtesy of Steven Goff of The Washington Post, Meghan Klingenberg and her team-mates sound as though they are up for a battle:
For all the flair players likely to be on show in this one, this match looks set to be a major scrap. Neither team will be willing to give an inch in the middle of the park or at the back, meaning those supporters hoping for a goalfest are unlikely to be sated.
However, the superior work rate, fitness and know-how of the USWNT will show through late in this game.
Prediction: United States 1-0 Colombia
